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About our Program

The University of Pennsylvania High School Upward Bound Program is a college preparatory program designed to motivate and prepare students in the program for the successful pursuit of a four-year college education. The goal of the program is to increase the rate at which low-income, first-generation-to-college students enroll in and graduate from a college or university with a bachelor's degree. The mission of the program is to provide high school students at the identified high schools, with academic, career and cultural enrichment resources. Access to these resources help students to graduate from high school and increase the rate at which low income, first generation college students matriculate and graduate from post secondary institutions.

The Upward Bound program is funded by the U. S. Department of Education, under Title IV of the Higher Education Act known as a TRIO, program to serve 105 students. The program is administered under the Vice Provost for University Life's Office of Equity and Access Programs.

The program seeks students that are committed to their education and are highly motivated in their pursuit of attaining a college education and achieving their career and professional goals. Our Academic Year and Summer Programs are rigorous, designed to motivate and prepare students for post secondary education.

Students from the following Philadelphia public high schools are eligible to apply:

To qualify, students must be from a low-income and/or first-generation-to-college background and in the 9th or 10th grade at the time of their application. Parents of Upward Bound students are strongly encouraged to become involved in all aspects of their child's participation, including attending meetings of the Upward Bound Parent Association.

Students may enroll starting in the ninth grade through graduation from high school. The program is year-round for a maximum of four years per student. On average, 98%-100% of University of Penn Upward Bound students are accepted at and attend college.

2017-2018 Academic Year Program

Our 2017-2018 Upward Bound Program will commence on Saturday, October 14th. We expect an engaging and exciting academic year with high quality instructors and a new curriculum along with college preparation workshops, partnerships with University of Pennsylvania student groups, and local college and university visits.